UNC Basketball Takes Care of Business Against The Citadel

The UNC basketball team showed plenty of encouraging signs in a blowout victory over The Citadel on Tuesday evening.

After a disappointing four-game losing streak over the past few weeks, the UNC basketball team needed to bounce back with home victories over Georgia Tech and The Citadel.

The Heels made sure they did just that, as they beat the Yellow Jackets on Saturday and handled the Bulldogs with ease on Tuesday night in the Smith Center, winning by a score of 100-67.

Tonight’s game was the best effort Carolina has put forth this season in terms of playing together and moving the ball offensively.  The Heels had a season-high 24 assists on 32 made field goals, as eleven different players picked up at least one assist.  Carolina’s three main guards (Love, Davis, and Trimble) combined for 14 assists and showed a commitment to keep their teammates involved all night long.

Another area where UNC was much better tonight was bench production, as the Heels got 42 points from reserves.  Freshman Tyler Nickel led the way, scoring a career-high 16 points, and fellow freshmen Seth Trimble and Jalen Washington had solid nights as well.  It was also good to see Dontrez Styles get some minutes and make an impact, as he added nine points and six boards.

The Tar Heels also impressed in a couple of other areas that they were struggling with during their losing streak, with rebounding and three-point shooting standing out in particular.  Carolina controlled the glass from start to finish (as they should against a mid-major opponent), as they closed the game at +15 on the boards.  The Heels also shot a season-best from deep, making 15 of their 31 three-point attempts.

Caleb Love led North Carolina in scoring with 17 points, while Pete Nance and Armando Bacot joined him with double-figure points.  Bacot secured another double-double and set an all-time UNC record in the process with his 62nd career game with double-figure rebounds.

While The Citadel isn’t a stellar opponent, it was nice to see UNC put together their most complete effort of the season and dominate an inferior opponent.  The Heels looked like a team with great chemistry, depth, and a ton of talent.  If UNC can continue to play connected on both ends of the floor and utilize their depth the way they did tonight, they will be very difficult to beat.

Tonight’s game against the Bulldogs was UNC’s final against a mid-major school, as the Heels close out non-conference play against Ohio State and Michigan before they return to ACC play for the remainder of the regular season.  The Tar Heels will look to secure what would be their best win of the season to date on Saturday afternoon, when they face off with the Buckeyes at the CBS Sports Classic in Madison Square Garden.

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